Common DVC Resale Mistakes to Avoid
DVC resale purchases involve unique considerations that trip up first-time buyers unfamiliar with vacation ownership complexities. Learning from common mistakes helps you avoid expensive errors and enjoy positive DVC ownership experiences from the start.
Not Understanding Resale Restrictions
Resale buyers cannot purchase certain DVC perks available to direct buyers, including Annual Pass discounts, Disney Cruise Line member pricing, Moonlight Magic events, and booking at Riviera with non-Riviera home resort contracts. Not understanding these limitations before buying creates post-purchase disappointment. Research what resale buyers cannot access and ensure those restrictions don't eliminate critical benefits you expected.
Overpaying Above Market Rates
Eager buyers sometimes pay inflated prices without researching recent sales comparisons. A Beach Club contract might reasonably sell for $135 per point, but impatient buyers occasionally pay $150+ because they didn't shop around or negotiate. Research multiple sources, monitor sales trends, and don't let urgency override smart pricing discipline.
Ignoring Contract Details
Buyers accepting contracts without verifying point status, use year, exact resort, and contract expiration dates sometimes discover unwelcome surprises post-closing. Always review official DVC documentation confirming all contract specifications before committing to purchases. Small details like subsid ized vs. non-subsidized contracts (at Old Key West) significantly impact long-term costs and value.
Choosing Wrong Home Resort
Buyers selecting home resorts based solely on lowest price without considering 11-month booking needs end up frustrated when they can't secure their truly preferred resorts at 7 months. If you love Grand Floridian and want to stay there annually, making Saratoga Springs your home resort to save money creates perpetual booking disappointment. Choose home resorts based on where you actually want to vacation most frequently.
Buying Without Understanding Points Charts
New buyers often don't realize how dramatically point requirements vary by season, villa size, and day of week. What seemed like a generous point allocation proves insufficient when they discover their target trips cost more points than anticipated. Study points charts for your intended use patterns before committing to specific point amounts.
Falling for Scams
Private party sales occasionally involve fraudsters posing as sellers when they don't actually own the contracts they're listing. Only work with established brokers or use reputable title companies even for FSBO transactions. Never send money directly to individual sellers without proper escrow and verification processes protecting your funds.
Not Budgeting for Annual Dues
Buyers focused entirely on purchase prices sometimes fail to budget for ongoing annual dues that continue indefinitely. A contract with low upfront costs but high annual dues might be more expensive long-term than a contract with higher purchase price and lower annual fees. Calculate total 10-year ownership costs including dues and increases when evaluating true affordability.
Rushing Due Diligence
Impatient buyers skip thorough research about DVC systems, booking rules, maintenance fees, and contract specifics in their rush to purchase. Invest time learning DVC mechanics before buying - this education prevents costly mistakes and sets you up for decades of successful ownership. The few weeks spent researching thoroughly save thousands in avoided errors.